Method and device for diverting flat objects

A device for transporting two flat objects, comprising

• means for transporting the objects in an initial direction such that a gap exists between the two objects, wherein each object has a thickness;
• a guiding facility for diverting the objects to a target direction and for transporting the objects further in the target direction;
• a measuring facility for determining a sum of the thicknesses of the two objects;
• and
• a controller for activating the guiding facility, wherein the controller is coupled to the measuring facility and configured to:
• activate the guiding facility such that it diverts the leading object and transports it in the target direction;
• stop the guiding facility after it has transported the leading object some distance in the target direction;
• to trigger a start of the guiding facility when the following object has reached a specific position during transport in the initial direction and to trigger transport of the leading object by means of the guiding facility;
• and
• to trigger diversion and further transport of the following object in the target direction by means of the guiding facility,
• wherein to trigger the start of the guiding facility, the controller is configured such that the guiding facility:
• continues transport of the leading object such that the following object moves onto the leading object when diverted and overlaps the leading object when transported in the target direction, if the thickness sum is less than or equal to the predetermined thickness limit, and
• continues transport of the leading object such that a gap exists between the leading object and the following object, both when the following object is diverted and also when it is transported in the target direction, if the thickness sum is greater than the thickness limit.

A unit for stacking flat objects automatically, comprising:

• a compartment for receiving objects, which is disposed such that it can be reached by the objects by means of transport in the target direction;
• and
• a device for transporting two flat objects, the device comprising
• means for transporting the objects in an initial direction such that a gap exists between the two objects, wherein each object has a thickness;
• a guiding facility for diverting the objects to a target direction and for transporting the objects further in the target direction;
• a measuring facility for determining a sum of the thicknesses of the two objects;
• and
• a controller for activating the guiding facility, wherein the controller is coupled to the measuring facility and configured to:
• activate the guiding facility such that it diverts the leading object and transports it in the target direction;
• stop the guiding facility after it has transported the leading object some distance in the target direction;
• to trigger a start of the guiding facility when the following object has reached a specific position during transport in the initial direction and to trigger transport of the leading object by means of the guiding facility;
• and
• to trigger diversion and further transport of the following object in the target direction by means of the guiding facility,
• wherein to trigger the start of the guiding facility, the controller is configured such that the guiding facility:
• continues transport of the leading object such that the following object moves onto the leading object when diverted and overlaps the leading object when transported in the target direction, if the thickness sum is less than or equal to the predetermined thickness limit, and
• continues transport of the leading object such that a gap exists between the leading object and the following object, both when the following object is diverted and also when it is transported in the target direction, if the thickness sum is greater than the thickness limit.